Sink popup stopper drain assembly

ABSTRACT

The present invention generally includes a sink popup stopper drain assembly including a drain body comprising a drain hole leading to a drain pipe for draining water; a substantially circular stopper including a top face and a bottom face, wherein the bottom face of the stopper is configured to fit over the drain hole providing a seal for stopping water from draining; and a popup rod attached to a peripheral edge of the substantially circular stopper and positioned adjacent to an inner side of the drain pipe, the popup rod movably connected to a pivot rod able to move the popup rod in a vertical direction.

This Application Claims the Benefit of Provisional Application No. 61/173,862, filed Apr. 29, 2009

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to sink drains, and more specifically, to a sink popup stopper drain assembly.

All drain assemblies have the popup stopper in the center of the drain pipe. This causes hair and scum to accumulate on these devices, and eventually cause the drain to clog.

As can be seen, there is a need for a drain popup stopper assembly that does not clog.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a sink popup stopper drain assembly is provided, comprising: a drain body comprising a drain hole leading to a drain pipe for draining water; a substantially circular stopper comprising a top face and a bottom face, wherein the bottom face of the stopper is configured to fit over the drain hole providing a seal for stopping water from draining; and a popup rod attached to a peripheral edge of the substantially circular stopper and positioned adjacent to an inner side of the drain pipe, the popup rod is movably connected to a pivot rod which enables the popup rod to move in a vertical direction.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: is a cut-away view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2: is a section view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3: is a section view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4: is a section view similar to FIG. 2, showing motion.

FIG. 5: is a cut away view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6: is a section view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7: is a section view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8: is a section view similar to FIG. 6, showing motion.

DESCRIPTION LIST

-   10: is the overall invention. -   12: is the stopper. -   14: is the drain body. -   16: are the stopper guides. -   18: is the pivot rod. -   20: is the clip. -   22: is the clevis. -   24: is the clevis rod.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. However, any single inventive feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or may only address one of the problems discussed above. Further, one or more of the problems discussed above may not be fully addressed by any of the features described below.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally includes a sink popup stopper drain assembly including a drain body comprising a drain hole leading to a drain pipe for draining water; a substantially circular stopper including a top face and a bottom face, wherein the bottom face of the stopper is configured to fit over the drain hole providing a seal for stopping water from draining; and a popup rod attached to a peripheral edge of the substantially circular stopper and positioned adjacent to an inner side of the drain pipe, the popup rod movably connected to a pivot rod able to move the popup rod in a vertical direction.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be made and used according to the following description.

The present invention provides a drain assembly that does not clog, and this is accomplished by positioning the rod and the stem of the popup stopper from the center of the stopper and incorporating them into one side of the wall of the drain assembly or drain pipe, which can be done by the use of guides such that the stopper rod is positioned adjacent to the pipe wall and held in position by the guides. The rod may be positioned such that it protrudes about ⅛ of an inch past the popup stem, which eliminates the obstruction that causes the clog. The popup stopper may be movably connected to a pivot rod that acts as a lever that is in turn connected to a clevis rod, such that when the clevis rod is pushed down or pulled up, the popup rod is able to move the popup stopper up and down in a vertical orientation, such that the popup stopper can open and close the flow of water down the drain. The components of the present invention may be made from any suitable material, for example plastic, metal, or a combination thereof.

All drain assemblies have the popup rod in the center of the drain pipe, which usually causes hair and scum to accumulate on these components and eventually cause the drain to clog. In the present invention the rod has been moved and attached to the peripheral edge of the popup stopper, such there is nothing to impede the free flow of water and avoiding clog buildup. By moving the popup assembly, the present invention eliminates the presence of component where it is possible for them to catch and collect the hair and debris, which over time impedes the flow of water causing the clogging. All popup assembly drains have a center lever to operate. By removing and reconfiguring these components, the present invention eliminates the obstruction to the flow of water.

FIGS. 5 through 8 show an alternate embodiment of a sink and drain assembly 110 according to the present invention. Like numerals indicate like parts. The sink assembly 110 includes a sink 130 that is used in any known type of environment, including but not limited to residential and commercial environments. The sink 130 may be of any type known, such as ceramic, metal, composite, plastic, or any other known sink material and sink design or shape. The sink 130 may have an orifice through or near a bottom surface thereof, which will be used to receive the drain assembly 110 therein.

The drain assembly 110 of the alternate embodiment includes a drain body 114, the drain body 114 generally includes a drain hole that is connected to a drain pipe for draining water from the sink 130. In one embodiment contemplated the drain body 114 may have threads 132 arranged over predetermined portion of the surface of the drain body 114. These threads 132 may be used to receive a collar that interacts with the sink 130 and the top of the drain pipe of the drain body 114. Furthermore, a separate locking nut 134 may interact with the popup rod assembly or may be used to secure the collar firmly against the sink without the need for plumbers putty or the like. Any known material can be used for the drain pipe of the embodiment shown in any of the FIGS. 1 through 8. Also, the drain pipe can vary in size and materials depending on the sink and the environment in which the sink will be used. The drain assembly 110 of the alternate embodiment of the present invention also includes a popup stopper 112, which is arranged within the drain hole of the drain body 114 of the drain assembly 110. The popup stopper 112 generally may have a substantially disc like member arranged at one end thereof. The bottom face of the substantially disc like member may be configured to fit over the drain hole and provide a seal which will stop water from draining from the sink 130 through the drain pipe 114. The stopper 112 may also include a seal 136 located around or near an end of the stopper 112, wherein the stopper seal 136 engages with a generally angled face of the drain pipe 114 to ensure water does not pass thereby. The stopper 112 also may include an arm 138 extending from a bottom face thereof. The arm 138 may extend generally from or near an outer periphery of the stopper 112. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the stopper 112 also includes a generally, when viewed in cross section, triangular portion that provides a transition from the top of the stopper to the arm 138, wherein the arm 138 extends a predetermined distance from the bottom face of the stopper 112. It should be noted that the stopper 112 and the arm 138 generally will be made of a plastic material, however any other known metal, ceramic, composite, or natural material may be used for the stopper 112 and the arm 138 that extends therefrom. It should further be noted that the arm 138 may also directly extend from a flat bottom surface of the stopper 112 or may have the design as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6. Generally, the arm 138 may have a rectangular shape with a predetermined thickness and predetermined length. Arranged near one end of the arm 138 may be an orifice 140. The orifice 140 may be used to interact and receive the pivot rod 118 therein. The pivot rod 118 will allow for the popup stopper 112 to move in a vertical direction with relation to the sink 130. It should be noted that the arm 138 may have shapes other than that of a rectangle depending on the design requirements of the sink 130. Generally, the orifice 140 through the arm 138 may have a shape of a square, however any other shaped orifice, such as a circular, rectangular, triangular, or any other known shape may be used for the orifice 140 arranged near the end of the arm 138. The popup stopper assembly 110 also includes at least one stopper guide 116 secured to one surface of the arm 138. In the alternate embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 through 8 a single stopper guide 116 generally having a rectangular shape when viewed from a front perspective thereof, will be attached to the arm 138 via any known mechanical or chemical fastening technique. It is also contemplated to have the stopper guide 116 molded or formed directly as a part of the arm 138 depending on the design requirements and manufacturing environment. It should further be noted that the stopper guide 116 as shown in FIGS. 5 through 8 may be of any other known shape than a rectangle. A cross section of the stopper guide 116 generally may have a V-shape, i.e., two triangles connected at one point to each other. It should be noted that any other shaped cross section may be used for the stopper guide 116. The stopper guide 116 ensures proper placement and movement of the popup stopper 112 within the drain pipe of the drain body 114.

As shown in FIG. 6, the popup stopper 112 having the arm 138 extending from or near an outer periphery thereof will allow for the arm 138 to be directly adjacent to the inner surface of the drain body 114. As shown, a minimal gap is present between the outer surface of the arm 138 and the inner surface of the drain body 114. This will ensure that any drain clog that passes from the sink 130 into the drain body 114 will pass through the drain system without any obstruction occurring from the popup assembly and the popup stopper 112. As shown in FIG. 6, the popup rod 118 extends a predetermined distance outside of the arm 138 to ensure for proper movement of the popup stopper 112 in an up and down direction with relation to the sink 130 and drain body 114. Hence, as found in the prior art, the arm 138 and popup stopper 112 will not be arranged at or near the mid point of the drain pipe which will greatly reduce the possibility of any clogs developing in the drain pipe due to the popup arm 138 and popup assembly. In one contemplated embodiment the pivot rod 118 may be positioned such that it protrudes approximately ⅛ of an inch past the popup arm 138, which will eliminate the obstruction that may cause a clog within the drain. It should further be noted that the popup stopper 112 may be removably connected to the pivot rod 118, wherein the pivot rod 118 will act as a lever that is connected to a clevis 122 on one end thereof, wherein a clevis rod 124 is connected to the clevis 122 wherein the clevis rod 124 is pushed down or pulled up by the user of the sink 130 allowing for the stopper 112 to either seal the hole on the bottom of the sink or allow water to flow through the sink into the drain pipe. An appropriate clip 120 is arranged between the clevis 122 and the popup rod 118 to allow for the popup rod 118 and the popup rod assembly, which generally includes a ball like structure captured within a popup rod pocket to allow for pivoting of the popup rod 118, and hence, movement of the popup stopper 112 with respect to the drain assembly. Any known fasteners may be used to connect the clevis 122 to the clevis rod 124 and the clevis 122 to the popup rod 118. It should further be noted that it is also contemplated to have a plurality of stopper guides 116 arranged on the alternate embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 through 8, arranged such as those shown in FIGS. 1 through 4. These stopper guides 116 generally have rectangular shapes with an angled surface on one end thereof. They also generally have triangular cross sections and are arranged in a predetermined pattern at various intervals on the arm of the stopper 112. It should be noted that for any of the components shown in any of the embodiments any known plastic, ceramic, composite, metal or natural material may be used for such components.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A sink popup stopper drain assembly, comprising: a drain body comprising a drain hole leading to a drain pipe for draining water; a substantially circular stopper comprising a top face and a bottom face, wherein the bottom face of the stopper is configured to fit over the drain hole providing a seal for stopping water from draining; and a popup rod attached to a peripheral edge of the substantially circular stopper and positioned adjacent to an inner side of the drain pipe, the popup rod movably connected to a pivot rod able to move the popup rod in a vertical direction.
 2. A sink popup stopper drain assembly, said assembly comprising: a drain body having a drain hole; a disc like stopper arranged within said drain hole; an arm extending from a bottom surface of said stopper, said arm extending from or near a periphery of said stopper, said arm having an orifice; a pivot rod arranged within said orifice of said arm, said pivot rod moves said stopper with relation to said drain body.
 3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said orifice arranged near an end of said arm.
 4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said arm is positioned adjacent to an inner surface of said drain body.
 5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein said arm having a generally rectangular shape.
 6. The assembly of claim 2 further comprising a stopper guide arranged on said arm.
 7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said stopper guide having a generally rectangular shape.
 8. The assembly of claim 2 further comprising a plurality of stopper guides arranged on said arm.
 9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said stopper guide having a generally triangular shape when viewed in cross section.
 10. The assembly of claim 8 wherein said plurality of stopper guides comprises four stopper guides.
 11. The assembly of claim 2 wherein said drain body having threads on a predetermined outside surface thereof.
 12. A sink assembly, said assembly comprising: a sink having an orifice therethrough; a drain body arranged within said orifice; a stopper arranged within a drain hole of said drain body, said stopper having an arm extending from or near an outer periphery thereof; a pivot rod in communication with said arm of said stopper; a clevis connected to said pivot rod; and a clevis rod connected to said clevis on one end thereof.
 13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein said arm having an orifice therethrough.
 14. The assembly of claim 12 wherein said arm is positioned directly adjacent to an inner surface of said drain body.
 15. The assembly of claim 12 wherein said arm having a generally rectangular shape.
 16. The assembly of claim 12 further comprising a stopper guide arranged on said arm.
 17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein said stopper guide having a generally rectangular shape.
 18. The assembly of claim 12 further comprising a plurality of stopper guides arranged on said arm.
 19. The assembly of claim 18 wherein said stopper guides having a generally triangular shape when viewed in cross section.
 20. The assembly of claim 12 wherein said drain body having threads on a predetermined portion of an outside surface thereof. 